Mark Sanford on Environment

Republican SC Governor; previously Representative (SC-1)

Market-based incentive for private land conservation

We’ve proposed funding to bolster water quality efforts & expedite hazardous site cleanup, and we successfully pushed for full funding of the South Carolina Conservation Bank, providing a market-based incentive for private land conservation. In addition,
Governor Sanford has proposed $10 million for a Timber Conservation Fund in this year’s Executive Budget to take advantage of a once in a lifetime chance to create a legacy of land conservation and conserve our forests for future generations.
South Carolina was recently able to save 39,000 such acres of wildlife habitat, including over 38 miles of river frontage on the Big PeeDee and Little PeeDee Rivers, the largest land protection deal of its kind in South Carolina history. Finally,
Governor Sanford recently petitioned the US Department of Agriculture to keep more than 7,600 acres of national forestland in South Carolina roadless, part of the administration’s ongoing effort to protect ecologically significant land in the state.

No EPA permits required for forest road runoff.

Congressional Summary:Amends the Clean Water Act to prohibit the EPA from requiring permits for a discharge of stormwater runoff resulting from silviculture activities.

Opponent's argument against bill: (Evergreen Magazine and Washington Forest Law Center): In Aug. 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that polluted stormwater generated by logging roads is subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. [The ruling meant] that rain runoff from forest roads constituted an industrial (not forestry) activity, which should be considered a "point source" discharge under the CWA. The lawsuit was brought because forest roads have been dumping sediment into rivers that support myriad species of salmon and resident trout, all of which are at risk from the pollution. The ruling will require State agencies to issue permits and ensure that road construction and maintenance practices limit or eliminate such discharges.

In March 2013, the
US Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit: permits are not required for stormwater discharges from pipes, ditches and channels along logging roads. [This legislation supports the Supreme Court ruling, against the Ninth Circuit conclusion].

Proponent's argument for bill: (Press release by sponsors):

Sen. WYDEN (D-OR): "We need a healthy timber industry to provide timber jobs and to do the restoration work that ensures healthy forests. The way to do that is to stop litigating questions that have already been answered."

Sen. CRAPO (R-ID): "The jobs and economic activities relating to the forest products industry are critical to the Pacific Northwest. The Clean Water Act was not intended to regulate stormwater runoff on forest roads."

Rep. HERRERA BEUTLER (R-WA): "At the heart of our efforts are the moms and dads employed by healthy, working forests--and passing this law will help make sure they have jobs, and will help make our forests healthy."